Ha - turns out it was the most reasonable alternative (in my stash) for bindings and headplates unless I used the bubinga for everything. I had already rejected walnut, mahogany, and cherry. The color match really isn't what I wanted; I would have much preferred to use ebony binding, but it's just too expensive. ABS would have fit the budget but I really wanted to use wood.

I found that board at Jefferies Hardwood about 6 or 7 years ago. Got 3.1 bd. ft. for $10.31/bd. ft. so $31.96. I've used half of it in two slices, one slice to make bindings and backstrips for four guitars. And a thin slice yielded 3 sets of headplates, tail wedge and heel cap. So I'm figuring about 1/3 of the half slice or $5.33 which I'll add to my budget.

If you keep your eyes open and don't mind digging through piles of lumber you can find good guitar wood at the local hardwood supplier for reasonable prices.

Here's what I sliced off.

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Harvested and put up apples all day Saturday and only got into the shop for a few hours this afternoon. I did manage to bend the poplar for the linings and laminate a pair. This is my first try at laminated linings. I'll laminate the other pair tomorrow night, if I have time.

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Used fish glue

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Figured I'd wrap them in wax paper so I could form two next to each other. Was a bit messy.

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Good thing I bought a butt load of those clamps when they were on sale.

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I agonized over whether I wanted to spend the money on this cause it is expensive, but I'm glad I did. I find myself using it all the time and I really like it. In fact, the longer I have it the more things I find myself using if for.

I did not see any of the workmanship issues mentioned in the reviews (I was fully prepared to send it back if I had). Bob Gleason commented that it was difficult to lock the ball with the short handle so he made a longer one. I haven't experienced that problem but if I do it's an easy fix.

The first set of laminated linings is out and cleaned up. They are just laying on top of the sides but the fit is very good. Since I'm using fish glue I have to wait overnight before unclamping. In the photo the second set is in the background still waiting glue-up but before I left the shop tonight I got the second set glued up and clamped to the form.

One thing I've realized rather quickly is that I need a male-female mold assembly to make it easier to get a good clean laminate. The falcate braces are the next laminates and I'll do that for them.

Edit: I just realized I used 3/4" birch ply for the tail block instead of the 1/2" I usually use. Hummmpf.

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Those linings look nice. I have been laminating mine one the rim but have a ton of clean up to do in the non-plate side of the linings since they don't necessarily line up during glue up. I need to re-think my process.

Haven't posted much the last few days so here's an update on my progress.

Obligatory plane shot - cleaning up the laminated linings.

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Trimmed the sides

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Using chalk to check the fit in the radius dish, close enough for now

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Put on the sound port pattern with diluted fish glue

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Laminating a piece of maple and BRW to the inside to back the sound port.

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Since I'm going to try Trevor's falcate bracing scheme I figured I'd try out his CF reinforced bridge so here's the bridge blank sliced in two pieces with CF cloth. My usual 1/16" locating pins - makes laminating things so much easier if you have a place to put them. Bridge is Bastogne walnut.

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Someone had noted that when using CF it's easier to use gloves and work the epoxy into the cloth. I did that and it seemed to work well. I also put a thin coat of epoxy on each piece of wood.

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Ready to clamp.

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_________________The Shallower the depth of the stream , The Louder the Babble ! The Taking Of Offense Is the Life Course Of The Stupid One !Wanna Leave a Better Planet for our Kids? How about Working on BETTER KIDS for our Planet !Forgiveness is the ability to accept an apology that you will probably NEVER GETThe truth will set you free , But FIRST, it will probably Piss you Off !Creativity is allowing yourself to make Mistakes, Art is knowing which ones to Keep !The Saddest thing anyone can do , is push a Loyal Person to the point that they Dont Care AnymoreNever met a STRONG person who had an EASY past !http://wiksnwudwerks.blogspot.com/http://www.facebook.com/groups/GatewayA ... rAssembly/

Thanks guys! I decided to try some new ideas and techniques with this guitar so it's been a challenge. The challenge will continue as I get to the falcate top bracing and live back bracing. I'm a bit nervous about aligning the bridge before I even brace the top; that's gonna be fussy.

Got the clamps off this morning and the top linings came out good so I put in the bottom linings and reclamped the monster. My regular kerfed-lining clamps are not strong enough even though most of the gaps I'm closing are only a 1/16" or so. I suppose if I'm going to do more laminated linings then I need to find some strong clamps that just open maybe 2 to 4" - anyone have any recommendations?

As for the mill , I use my drill press and a dual slide vice and can accomplish same thing . Mills great to have , but drill press is cheaper

And BTW Im glad rube and murphy are buggin you guys , maybe they will stay the heck outa MY SHOP for a while !

_________________The Shallower the depth of the stream , The Louder the Babble ! The Taking Of Offense Is the Life Course Of The Stupid One !Wanna Leave a Better Planet for our Kids? How about Working on BETTER KIDS for our Planet !Forgiveness is the ability to accept an apology that you will probably NEVER GETThe truth will set you free , But FIRST, it will probably Piss you Off !Creativity is allowing yourself to make Mistakes, Art is knowing which ones to Keep !The Saddest thing anyone can do , is push a Loyal Person to the point that they Dont Care AnymoreNever met a STRONG person who had an EASY past !http://wiksnwudwerks.blogspot.com/http://www.facebook.com/groups/GatewayA ... rAssembly/

Thanks for the comments guys. I took some time to sand the bridge down some more, cleaned up the edges, and I'm liking it quite a bit better. I still think I will ebonize the bridge and fretboard because I think they will look better if they're black. At least I won't ever have to worry about this bridge splitting

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Got the linings in and the inside cleaned up. Next is to cut the soundport then I can start working on the back and top.

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_________________Steve Smith"Music is what feelings sound like"

Last edited by SteveSmith on Wed Sep 05, 2012 7:10 am, edited 2 times in total.

Spent the last 4 days clearing the garage, having a massive garage sale, and started scraping the ceiling (yes, popcorn in a garage). Also pulling 4 potlights to put in some T8 fluorescent lights. Haven't been to the shop at all this week

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